Vetting Officer at NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Have a direct impact on the security and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
• Use your analytical skills to make security clearance recommendations.
• Work in a collaborative team environment and culture.

Our work is secret, but the reason for our success isn't. It's our people.

And we're just like you. We're ordinary people. But together, we're doing extraordinary things to protect New Zealand and New Zealanders.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has a statutory mandate to conduct security vetting in New Zealand on behalf of all government agencies, and is currently recruiting Vetting Officers for permanent positions.

We are looking for professional individuals who have excellent interpersonal skills and a good range of life experience.

The role of a Vetting Officer is to conduct background investigations, and interview nominated government employees and their referees in order to assess suitability to hold a national security clearance.  You will assess the information gathered against the Protective Security Requirements and Adjudicative Guidelines. The outcomes from your work will have a direct impact on the security and well-being of New Zealand.

To be successful in this role you will need to display excellent judgement, as well as enjoy working collaboratively to solve problems and make decisions. You will also possess the following qualities:

• Proven interviewing skills both face to face and by telephone - experience with a vetting focus would be an advantage
• Knowledge of the Protective Security Requirements and Adjudicative Guidelines
• A high level of integrity, trustworthiness and discretion
• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• The ability to make well researched, informed and open-minded assessments with regard for differing lifestyles, backgrounds and cultures
• Experience in investigative and analysis work - particularly if this has involved background and/ or national security clearance assessments

A valid and clean full New Zealand Driver's Licence for travel within New Zealand is also required.

This role can accommodate flexible work arrangements so please indicate any request for flexible working in your application. 

We want our people to succeed, whatever success looks like for them.  Join us and we'll give you significant professional development opportunities aimed at taking your career in the direction you want it to go.  You won't stand still with us as we're committed to ongoing learning and continuous improvement.

We're also committed to your wellbeing.  We want our people to be the best they can be, both at work and at home.  We offer our people comprehensive benefits, access to staff networking groups, flexible working and great work-life balance.

If you want to love coming to work each day, let us help you become Beyond Ordinary. 

To be eligible for employment within the NZIC you must have been a NZ citizen for at least 10 years. Alternatively you must hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years.

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance. Ordinarily to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have a 15 year checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we ask that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality. You are expected to exercise discretion during the recruitment process and throughout your career.